Blood donation practices, processing and utilisation of blood components in government tertiary hospitals in Nigeria: a multicentre cooperative study

BACKGROUND

Timely access to safe blood and blood components is still a challenge in Nigeria. This study aimed to determine blood donation practices, processing and utilization of blood components across government tertiary hospitals (THs) in Nigeria.

METHODS

This was a descriptive cross-sectional study done in Nigeria in June-July 2020. Data were analysed with SPSS version 21.0.

RESULTS

Data were collected from 50 THs. The majority (68%) of the THs lack facilities for blood component preparation and only 18% and 32% provide cryoprecipitate and platelet concentrate, respectively. Whole blood was most commonly requested (57.04%). All facilities tested blood for HIV, HBV and HCV, but the majority (23 [46%]) employed rapid screening tests alone and nucleic acid testing was not available in any hospitals. The manual method was the most common method of compatibility testing in 90% (45/50) and none of the THs routinely perform extended red cell typing. The average time to process routine, emergency and uncross-matched requests were a mean of 109.58±79.76 min (range 45.00-360.00), 41.62±25.23 (10.00-240.00) and 11.09±4.92 (2.00-20.00), respectively.

CONCLUSION

Facilities for blood component preparation were not widely available. Concerned government authorities should provide facilities for blood component preparation.

Prevalence of venous thromboembolism and its associations in a large racially homogenous population of sickle cell disease patients

To determine the prevalence of venous thromboembolism (VTE) among adult sickle cell disease (SCD) patients in Nigeria.

METHODS

This was a multicentre retrospective study in which the medical records of adult SCD patients were reviewed. Information on demographics, steady-state haemogram, clinical phenotypes, duration of follow-up, history of VTE including risk factors and management was collected.

RESULTS

Of the 509 SCD patients with a median (IQR) duration of follow-up of 2 years, 10 (2.0%) had VTE (9 DVT and 1 PE). Their median (IQR) age was 27 (22.8-30.3) years. Identifiable risk factors for VTE included positive family history (2, 20%) surgery, splenectomy, paraplegia and cancer (1, 10% each). No risk factor was identifiable in four persons. VTE had no significant association with age and gender. VTE was significantly associated with the following events: acute chest syndrome [p = .002, odds ratio (OR) 8, 95% CI 2.2-28.9], osteonecrosis [p = .012, OR 5.24, 95% CI, 1.45-18.91] and vaso-occlusive crisis [p = .035]. Also significantly associated with VTE were pulmonary hypertension [p = .001, OR 23.3, 95%CI 5.18-105.06] and stroke [p = .032, OR 9.35, 95%CI 0.87-53.25].

CONCLUSION

The prevalence of VTE among SCD patients in Nigeria is low. It is significantly associated with vaso-occlusive crisis, pulmonary hypertension and stroke.

Plasminogen Activator Inhibitor 1 (PAI-1) and Haematologic Parameters in HIV- Positive Patients on Protease Inhibitor-Based HAART Regimen: A Case-Control Study

Background: Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection is associated with an increased risk of hypercoagulability and treatment with antiretroviral agents especially protease inhibitors has also been reported to contribute to this risk. Altered fibrinolytic activity is reported as a mechanism of increased thrombotic risk in HIV patients on therapy. However, this has not been investigated in our environment. Objective: To evaluate and compare PAI-1 levels as a marker of thrombotic risk in HIV-infected persons on PI-based HAART regimen with those on non-PI-based therapy and to correlate PAI-1 with haematological parameters. Methods: This was a comparative cross-sectional study conducted at the University of Calabar Teaching Hospital (UCTH), Calabar, Cross River State. A total of 125 subjects including 45 HIV-positive patients on PI-based HAART regimen, 42 HIV-positive patients on non-PI-based HAART regimen and 38 Controls. The controls include 18 HIV-positive therapy naïve patients and 20 HIV-negative controls. PAI 1 and blood counts were estimated using standard methods. Data were analyzed using the IBM version of the statistical package for social sciences (SPSS) version 22. Statistical significance was set at 0.05. Result: The median PAI-1 level was significantly increased in patients on PI-based HAART regimen (p  =  0.004). The blood counts did not differ significantly between patients on PI and non-PI-based HAART regimens (p > 0.05). There were no significant correlations between PAI-1 levels and blood counts (p > 0.05). Conclusion: PAI-1 level is elevated in HIV patients on PI-based HAART regimen. However, the association with thrombotic events could not be established in the study.

Determination of von Willebrand factor level in patient with sickle cell diseasein vaso-occlusive crisis

BACKGROUND

Sickle cell anemia (SCA) is a hypercoagulable state characterized by a significant alteration in hemostatic parameters that may predispose to increased risk of vaso-occlusive crisis (VOC). The role of von Willebrand factor (VWF) in the pathogenesis of VOC has not been fully investigated in Nigeria.

OBJECTIVE

The objective of this study was to evaluate the level of VWF in subjects with sickle cell disease (SCD) in Calabar, Nigeria, to determine its role in the pathogenesis of VOC.

METHODS

This was a comparative study carried out at the University of Calabar Teaching Hospital, Calabar, Nigeria. Sixty patients with SCA in VOC and 50 healthy controls were included. VWF levels were measured using Assaypro enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay kits.

RESULTS

The mean age of patients with SCA in VOC and controls was 23.5 ± 7.2 years and 26.5 ± 5.6 years, respectively. The means (standard deviations) of VWF in patients in VOC and controls were 2.52 ± 0.34 IU/mL and 1.41 ± 0.23 IU/mL, respectively. There was no correlation of hematocrit and VWF in VOC (r = -0.034; P = .80), while there was a modest inverse correlation in controls.

CONCLUSIONS

Levels of VWFare elevated in a VOC state and thus may be implicated in the pathogenesis of VOC.

Health Status of Persons with Hemophilia: A Pilot Survey from a Resource-Constrained Country

Background

Most resource-poor countries are yet to develop standard hemophilia treatment center (HTC) despite improved outcome of health status of persons with hemophilia (PWH).

Aim

This study aimed to evaluate the health status of PWH in Nigeria.

Methodology

In this descriptive, cross-sectional study, modified prevalidated and pretested questionnaire (National health and Nutrition examination survey (NHANES) 2013 Health Status questionnaire (HSQ)) was consecutively administered to consenting PWH (pediatric and adult) attending the 2018 Annual General Meeting of the Haemophilia Foundation of Nigeria. The study's measurable outcome variables were calculated health status and its determinants. Association between the outcome variables and clinical characteristics of PWH was done using SPSS software version 22, and P < 0.05 was considered statistically significant.

Results

Of the 36 PWH who participated in the survey, 50% had good health status, 38.9% had poor health status, while only 11.1% had excellent health status. A majority (88.9%) had access to HTC with <6 consultations in the past year. Nearly 47.2% were hospitalized for disease-related problem in the past year. There was nonsignificant difference between health status and disease type (P = 0.751) and severity (P = 0.086), treatment plan (0.496), type of treatment facility (P = 0.152), and access to a doctor (P = 0.67).

Conclusion

Several PWH in resource-poor settings still suffer serious morbidity that impacts negatively on their health status. More robust (multicenter) research is needed to ascertain the true picture of health status of PWH in resource-poor countries.

Bortezomib Prescription Pattern for the Treatment of Multiple Myeloma by Hematologists in Nigeria

PURPOSE

Novel therapy has dramatically changed the outcome of patients with myeloma. Current National Comprehensive Cancer Network guidelines give bortezomib-based combinations a central role in the management of multiple myeloma (MM). The aim of this survey is to assess the use of bortezomib for the treatment of MM by hematologists practicing in Nigeria.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

This is a cross-sectional observational survey. A structured, prevalidated questionnaire was self-administered to different cadres of hematologists. Data collected were analyzed using SPSS software version 21 (IBM, Chicago, IL).

RESULTS

There were 54 respondents from 24 centers across the country. The most frequently used drugs for first-line therapy were thalidomide (66.7%), dexamethasone (54.2%), and bortezomib (48%), and a combination of bortezomib, thalidomide, and dexamethasone (16.7%) was the most frequently used first-line regimen. Of the 54 hematologists, 39 (72.2%) had prescribed bortezomib previously; no one had used bortezomib as monotherapy. Drug unavailability (86.7%) and cost (46.7%) were the major reasons for those who had not prescribed bortezomib. Approximately 56.4% of responders had patients who had experienced adverse effects, of which neuropathy was the most common (86.3%).

CONCLUSION

Bortezomib, thalidomide, and dexamethasone was the most frequently used first-line regimen to treat myelomatosis. Thalidomide and dexamethasone were the most frequently used drugs in myeloma treatment. Despite poor access to health care, coupled with the high cost and poor availability of bortezomib in our low- or middle-income country, those who prescribed bortezomib did so frequently (in more than half of their patients).

Challenges in the management of bleeding disorders in Nigeria

Background

Bleeding disorders (BDs) are characterized by abnormal bleeding for which effective management requires a combination of skill, workforce, diagnostic facilities, and adequate therapeutic options.

Objectives

The objectives of this study were to determine the capacity of Nigerian hematologists to handle BDs and to assess availability of required infrastructure, equipment, and treatment options.

Materials and Methods

This descriptive study was conducted during the 2016 scientific conference of the Nigerian Society for Hemetology and Blood Transfusion. A structured questionnaire was distributed to hematologists in attendance. Data were analyzed with SPSS version 21.

Results

A total of 55 (76.4%) hematologists from 27 centers responded. The most frequently carried out tests to assess bleeding were hemoglobin or packed cell volume (100%), full blood count (96.3%), and prothrombin time/international normalized ratio and activated partial thromboplastin time (77%). Many centers did not have a coagulometer (47.8%) or cold centrifuge (43.4%) and none had thromboelastography or rotational thromboelastometry. Fresh whole blood was the most accessible (88.5%) and up to one-third of the centers did not have access to component therapy. Only 39.1% centers had factor concentrates available.

Conclusion

Facilities required for diagnosing and treating BD are significantly deficient in most centers in Nigeria. Funding to provide facility and training is required to improve on this inadequacy.

Correlation of hematocrit and Apgar scores in newborns of women with hypertensive disorders in pregnancy

OBJECTIVES

To compare the incidence of polycythemia in newborns of women with hypertensive disorders in pregnancy (HDP) with those of normotensive mothers, to determine the incidence of perinatal stress using Apgar scores and to correlate hematocrit with Apgar scores in these newborn.

STUDY DESIGN

This was a hospital-based comparative study conducted in the University of Port Harcourt Teaching Hospital, Nigeria.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES

Apgar scores of 200 newborns- 100 from mothers with HDP (case group) and 100 from normotensive mothers (control group)- were taken at 1st and 5th minute of birth and cord blood samples collected to determine hematocrit. The subjects were categorized into polycythemic and non polycythemic using a hematocrit ≥65%.

RESULTS

Eight percent of newborns of women with HDP had polycythemia while none of the controls did. Apgar scores in the case group with and without polycythemia at one-minute were 4.1±1.8 and 6.6±2.1, respectively and at 5 minutes were 6.9±1.7 and 8.5±1.4 respectively. Hematocrit correlated positively with Apgar scores (both at one and five minutes) in cases without polycythemia (r = 0.221, p = 0.034 and r = 0.255, p = 0.014). Hematocrit of polycythemic newborns did not correlate with Apgar scores (r = -0.287, p = 0.491 and r = -0.436, p = 0.281).

CONCLUSION

The incidence of polycythemia is significantly higher in newborns of women with HDP and these polycythemic neonates had a significantly higher incidence of birth asphyxia. Therefore, birth outcome as determined by Apgar score is influenced by hematocrit.

Peripheral blood film - a review

The peripheral blood film (PBF) is a laboratory work-up that involves cytology of peripheral blood cells smeared on a slide. As basic as it is, PBF is invaluable in the characterization of various clinical diseases. This article highlights the basic science and art behind the PBF. It expounds its laboratory applications, clinical indications and interpretations in the light of various clinical diseases. Despite advances in haematology automation and application of molecular techniques, the PBF has remained a very important diagnostic test to the haematologist. A good quality smear, thorough examination and proper interpretation in line with patient's clinical state should be ensured by the haemato-pathologist. Clinicians should be abreast with its clinical utility and proper application of the reports in the management of patients.

Donor blood procurement and the risk of transfusion transmissible viral infections in a tertiary health facility in South-South Nigeria

Background:

Blood and blood products are scarce commodities. The demand often outweighs the supply. This study is directed at investigating the blood procurement sources and the risk of viral transfusion transmissible infection.

Materials and Methods:

The records of the blood transfusion unit of a tertiary health facility in south-south Nigeria were studied. The procurement and screening records from 1 January to 31 December 2009 were analyzed.

Results:

7,552 donor records were analyzed, 6,931 were commercial donor and 621 replacement donors. 891 commercial donors were infected, 500 (7.2%) were HIV positive, 323 (4.7%) HBV positive, 42 (0.6%) had HIV and HBV co-infection, while 28 (0.4%) were HCV positive. Twenty-three replacement donors were infected, 16 (2.6%) were HIV positive, 6 (1%) were HBV positive, while 1 (0.2%) were HCV positive. None of the replacement donors had co-infection. The risk of infection was significantly higher with commercial donor procurement (X2=45.07, P<0.001, OD=3.845).

Conclusion:

Commercial blood donors are still the major source of blood to the hospital and they also have the highest prevalence of transfusion transmissible viral infections in this region thus constitute a major risk transmitting infections to potential recipients.